Cuomo asks White House, Congress for Sandy aid

WASHINGTON -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is asking the Obama administration and congressional leaders for quick action in approving tens of billions of dollars to help his state recover from Superstorm Sandy, one of the Northeast's most destructive storms.

Cuomo started his day Monday at the White House, where he met with Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan and other top aides to President Barack Obama.

He then went to Capitol Hill for meetings with top members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and leaders of both parties.

The Obama administration is expected to send Congress its request for emergency Sandy recovery aid this week. The initial amount is certain to be less than the $42 billion that Cuomo is seeking for his state alone.